Converting system.



J. N. MAHONEY.

CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER.

APPLICATION HLED we. 1 I. ma.

Patented Aug. 6, 1918. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 YINVEN'OR llllllll 7 WITNESSES:

ATTORNEY n4: NORRIS FITER! cu,m4a1wurncjwasnmcmm n. c.

F. W. MEYER.

CONVERTING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.24. 1915.

1 ,274,741 Patented Aug. 6, 1918.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

.H I I IN I M;

M I IM INVENTOR ATTORNEY container 4, preferabl of the character em-UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRIEDRICH W. MEYER, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOB TOWESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OFPENNSYLVANIA.

CONVERTING SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 6, 1918.

Application filed March 24, 1915. Serial No. 16,678.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRIEDRICH W. MEYER, a subject of the Emperor ofGermany, and a resident of Pittsburgh, in the county of Allegheny andState 0 Pennsylvania, have 1nvented a new and useful Improvement inConvertin Systems, of which the following is a speci cation.

My invention relates to alternating-current converting systems, and ithas for its object to provide circuits and apparatus whereby energy maybe transferred from a single-phase system to a polyphase system withoutthe interposition of heavy moving arts. a p In the accompanyingdrawings, Figure 1 is a side view, partially in section, of a vapordevice embodying one form of my invention; Fig. 2 is a skeleton view ofa modificat-ion of the device shown in Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 is a wavediagram illustrating the operation of my device.

In the operation of systems of electrical distribution, it is frequentlynecessary to transfer energy from a single-phase system to a polyphasesystem, as, for example, 1n electric locomotives operating from asinglephase line and propelled by polyphase motors. As the power supplyof the singlephase system is intermittent, Whereas the power supply of apolyphase system is sub stantially uniform, it is necessary that alltransferring devices of the typeindicated be providedwith anenergy-storing device for the supply of the polyphase system when theinstantaneous energy of the single-phase system is deficient. In theordinary rotary phase splitter, this energy-storing function isperformed by the inertia of the rotor. It is desirable to avoid, ifpossible, the use of a rotary phase splitter with its large welght andspace consumption and'I have found that its place may be satisfactor lytaken by a vapor-arc device for interl1nk1ng the two systems and byproviding a storage battery for supplyingthe polyphase system durmgperiods Of deficiency in the single-phase supply.

Referring to the form of my inventlon shown in Fig. 1, a non-magneticevacuated ployedin vapor recti ers of the metal type, is provided withfour anodes 5, 6, and 8 andwith six cathodes 9 to 14 incluslve ,(13 and14 not shown). The anodes 5 and 7 are 'line 16. The cathodes 9 and 14,inclusive,

are connected, respectively, to the terminals of the primary windings ofthree transformers 17, 18 and 19 connected to supply a three-phaseconsumption circuit including a three-phase induction motor 20 connectedto a vehicle axle 21 for propulsion purposes. The cathodes 9 to 14,inclusive, are preferably composed of mercury, and each is contained inan insulating receptacle, as shown at 22. Suitable insulating barriers23 separate the receptacles 2222, and the end portions of each poolareshielded by insulating cover plates 2323. is associated with each of thecathodes 9 to 14, inclusive, and the magnets 24 are connected to beenergized from a direct-current source 25 through a rotating switch 26which periodically opens and closes the circuit to each of the magnetsin rapid succession, as set forth in detail in my copending application,Serial No. 846,365, filed June 20, 1914, and assigned to theWestinghouse Electric 8:: Manufacturing Company. Each of the cathodes 9to 14, inclusive, is provided with a compound keep-alive circuit, asshown in connection with the cathode 9. Each keepalive circuit comprisesan anode 27 over the exposed central portion of the cathode pool andwithin the field of the attendant magnet 24, and an additional an'ode27'located over a shielded end portion of the cathode and outside themagnetic field. Energy isfsupplied to the anodes 27 and 27 from abattery 28, a resistance member 29, being included in the lead to theanode 27. A wire 30 connects neutral points in the supply andconsumption circuits. A source of direct current, such, for example, asa storage bat-y tery 31, is connected between the wire 30 and the'twoanodes 6 and 8.

Having thus described the construction of my device, the operation is asfollows: An

arc is initiated within the container by any suitable means and willflow to the cathode at which, for the time being, the magnet 24 isdeenergized. This result follows because, at this particular cathode,there isno magnetic blowout action and the keep-alive cathode spot isexposed. At all other cathodes there exists a strong magnetic Anelectromagnet 24 7 portions of blowout action tending to force any mainpower arc, which might be established, against the edge of the ad acentplate 23'. Furthermore, the magnetic field at the remaining cathodesovercomes the natural tendency of the keep-alive circuits to operatefrom the anodes 27 brought about by the biasing action of theresistances. 29, extinguishing the keep-alive arcs at the central thecathode pools and forcing them to operate from the anodes 27 under theshelter of the plates 23. When the voltage of the supply is at amaximum, as indicated by the crests of the waves 32 and 33 in Fig. 3,energy will flow directly to the polyphase system. When the voltage ofthe waves 32 and 33 falls to a point below the line 34-34, representingthe voltage of the battery 31-, the arc will shift to one of the anodes6 and 8 and energy will flow therefrom until the succeeding single-phasewave rises to a sufficient height to exceed the voltage of the battery.The voltage of the polyphase system may be represented by a series ofwave crests 3535'. The energy supplied to the consumption circuitsdirectly from the single-phase system may be represented by the shadedspace 36 and the energy supplied from the battery 31 by a shaded space37. It is intended that the arc will operate from the anode 6immediately after a current wave has flowed from one of the main anodes,as, for example, 5, and that current will flow from the other auxiliaryanode 8 immediately after a wave has flowed from the main anode 7. Bythis means, a rotary motion of both ends of the power-transferring areis obtained, and difiiculties arising from the inertia of thearc-carrying particles are avoided.

Obviously, with the above described system, it would be necessary tohave a battery 31 of very large dimensions or else to employ anauxiliary rectifier for charging purposes and it is therefore advisableto devise a system wherein the battery 31 may intermittently receiveenergy from the line and transfer energy to the polyphase system in amanner more nearly analogous to that of a fly wheel. Such a system isshown in Fig. 2 wherein a plurality of anodes 5, 6, 7 and 8 are mountedin a container 4' and derive energy from a source 15. Four cathodes 9',10', 11 and 12 are also mounted within the container 4' and areconnected, respectively, to the terminals of transformers 17 and 18associated with a consumption circuit. Two batteries 38 and 39 areprovided having their positive terminals connected, respectively, to thetwo anodes 6 and 8 and having their negative terminals connected to awire 30 connecting neutral points in the supply and consumption systems.The cathodes 9 and 10 are connected, res ectively, to the positiveterminals of the atteries 38 and 39 through asymmetric devices 40 and41, of the vapor-arc or electrolytic type, to prevent short-circuiting.When the voltage of the main anode 5 is a maximum, energy, flowstherefrom to the cathode 9 and from there divides, a portion going tothe transformer 17' and a portion to the battery 38 through the device40. The lower end of the power-transferring arc is rapidly shiftedaround on the cathodes by a magnetic device similar to that shown inFig. 1 and if the arc impinges uponthe cathode 10 before the wave fromthe anode 5 has reached a lower voltage than that of the polyphaseconsumption system, energy will likewise be imparted to the transformer18 and to the battery 39. When, however, the voltage of the anode 5falls below that of the polyphase system, energy will be supplied fromeither the anode 6' or the anode 8 and the associated battery for themaintenance of an arc until the succeeding supply wave of the oppositepolarity exceeds in value the voltage of the polyphase system andbecomes effective at the main anode 7'. The upper end of the arc willtake up a r otary motion, as in the device in Fig. 1, and the directionof rotation will determine, in general, whether the anode 6 or whetherthe anode 8' takes up the load at a period of deficient single-phasepower supply. If, however, either of the batteries 38 and 39 acquires arelatively higher voltage than the other, it will take up the loadduring each period of power deficiency in the singlephase system, andhence, a voltage balance will soon be restored between the twobatteries. Normal operation then continues, with each batteryalternately receiving and giving out energy at equal rates.

While I have shown my invention in two distinct embodiments thereof, itwill be apparent to those skilled in the artthat it is susceptible ofvarious minor changes and modifications without departing from thespirit thereof, and I desire, therefore, that no limitations shall beplaced thereupon ex cept such as are imposed by the prior art or arespecifically set forth in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. The combination with a source of single-phase energy, of a polyphaseconsumption circuit, a phase-converter of the vapor-arc type connectedtherebetween and arranged to transfer energy from said singlephasesource to said polyphase circuit, and a source of direct currentconnected to supply energy to said phase-converter when theinstantaneous voltage of said single-phase source is less than that ofthe polyphase circuit.

2. The combination with a single-phase source of alternating currentprovided with a neutral point, of a polyphase consumption circuit, alsoprovided with a neutral point, a phase converter of the multi-cathodevapor-arc type provided with anodes connected to the. single-phasesource, with cathodes connected to the polyphase consumption circuit andwith an auxiliary anode, and a source of direct current connectedbetween said auxiliary anode in said converter and said neutral point inthe polyphase system for providing energy at times when theinstantaneous single-phase voltage-is less than the instantaneouspolyphase voltage.

3. The combination with a single-phase source of alternating current, ofa polyphase consumption circuit provided with a neutral point, a phaseconverter" of the multi-cathode vapor-arc type provided with anauxiliary anode, the single-phase circuit being connected to electrodesof one polarity and the polyphase circuit being connected to electrodesof the other polarity of said converter, and a source of direct currentconnected between said auxiliary electrode within said converter-of thepolarity of the single-phase electrodes and said neutral point in thepolyphase system.

4. The combination with an evacuated container, of a pair of anodes anda plurality of cathodes therein, a single-phase source of alternatingcurrent connected to v said anodes, a polyphase consumption circuitprovided with a neutral point connected to said cathodes, means forcausing an arc Within said container between said anodes and saidcathodes to sweep in succession over each of said cathodes, an auxiliaryanode in said container, and a source of direct current connectedbetween said auxiliary anode and said neutral point in the polyphasesystem, whereby energy will be supplied to said polyphase system whenthe instantaneous voltage thereof exceeds the instantaneous voltage ofthe single-phase supply.

5. The combination with an evacuated container, of a pair of anodestherein, a source of single-phase alternating current connected to saidanodes, a pluralit of cathodes therein, a polyphase system 0distribution, connections from said cathodes to said polyphase system, aair of batteries,

an asymmetric connection rom one of said cathodes to the posltiveterminal of one'of said batteries, an asymmetric connection from anotherof said cathodes to the positive terminal of the other battery,apair ofauxiliary anodes in said container, a connection from the positiveterminal of each battery to one of said anodes, a connection betweenneutral points in said single-phase and said polyphase system and thenegative terminals of said batteries, and means for causing an arewithin saidcontainer to operate in succession to each of said cathodes.

6. The combination with a vapor-arc device for transferring energy froma singlephase system to a polyphase system, of an energy-storing device,means for diverting a portion ofthe current flow through the mainelectrodes of said vapor-arc device when the instantaneous voltage ofthe single phase system exceeds that of the polyphase system, to saidstorage device, and means for returning said energy to thepowertransferring are when the instantaneous voltage of the single-phasesystem is below that of the polyphase system. v

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 12th dayofMarch, 1915.

' FRIEDRICH w. MEYER.

Witnesses:

D. C. DAvIs. B. B. HINES.

